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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not move my rabbits?

39 replies

HeffalumpsDaughter · 15/12/2018 10:18

We have a back garden that is completely enclosed with a wall that’s about 3 foot high, then fencing on top of that making it about 5 foot high. We have two rabbits that I let run free in the back garden during daylight hours. We also have chickens that we let run free, although they tend to stay by the house but they do see off any cats and gulls that come in the garden so the rabbits are pretty safe.

There is a house that is next to our garden that has sitting room and kitchen upstairs. The owners have recently moved out and are now renting it out as a holiday let. They have complained that they are advertising their holiday let as dog friendly but everyone that has so far stayed with a dog has complained that their dogs have been going bonkers as the main window from the sitting room overlooks our garden and the dogs can see the rabbits.

Neither them or us is wanting to raise the fence as doing so would get rid of sea views from the ground floor. I have said I’m not moving the rabbits, I have nowhere else to let them run free and even if I did lock them in their hutch the dogs would still be able to see them. Neighbours are now threatening to report me to the RSPCA for neglecting my animals, the council for not controlling my animals and some unspecified place because I’m sabotaging his business Confused.

It’s so weird as they were completely normal people when they lived there and we always rubbed along. I even chopped down some trees in my garden just so they had a nicer view.

Aibu to just completely ignore them and carry on doing what I always have?

OP posts:
Junkmail · 15/12/2018 10:22

They don’t have a leg to stand on. I’m not sure what they think the council and RSPCA are going to do about you keeping animals on your own property? How are they “out of control”?? Confused I would ignore them. A bit uncomfortable but it’s honestly tough shit. They would be better off cutting their losses and taking away their dog-friendly status. Most places are anyway.

HaudYerWheestHen · 15/12/2018 10:22

Tell them to jog on.

However, please be careful that nothing "happens" to your pets. Some people be cray cray.

If anyone ever begins to have issues with their neighbours then please, please get some cctv. It often stops it from getting worse because unreasonable behaviour can be proved and dealt with much faster than he said/did, she said/did situations.

AIBU123 · 15/12/2018 10:23

They sound bonkers OP. Ignore them.

CottonSock · 15/12/2018 10:23

They are bonkers

Beautifulsunshine · 15/12/2018 10:25

I would just. Be worried about the dogs getting over the fence. I had a husky and it could clear a 6ft fence easily.

Honeyroar · 15/12/2018 10:27

Absolutely! It's not your problem. Assuming the rabbits are safe, and dogs or angry neighbours can't get at them, I'd carry on. And tell him the RSPCA will think it's lovely to see rabbits living so naturally. He can always warn his guests with dogs that they will see rabbits. Personally I'd love looking onto your rabbits and tell my dogs off for barking.

MimiSunshine · 15/12/2018 10:29

The RSPCA are only going to laugh at them for suggesting that they come round to tell you to lock up or get rid of your small animals that should be given as much freedom as possible in order for them to live healthy lives have been given exactly that.

Ignore them but maybe invest in a security camera for your garden

StrongTea · 15/12/2018 10:31

Think I would contact the council myself and explain the situation. They sound very unreasonable neighbours.

Floralnomad · 15/12/2018 10:35

I agree with the pp that the only issue here is whether something will happen to your animals . I think I’d be investing in some higher fencing and probably make it the angled animal proof type and a camera system .

Original poster
HeffalumpsDaughter · 15/12/2018 10:39

I do have cctv but will adjust it to point at the garden, thanks for that advice. Thanks for the reassurance, he was making me out to be so unreasonable that I was starting to doubt myself!

Tbh I wouldn’t object too much about raising the fencing. Our house is upside down too and I’m not too fussed about looking at the sea from our bedrooms. He advertises his house as having sea views from every room though, so he definitely wouldn’t want the fence raised!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 15/12/2018 10:40

In that case definitely raise the fence height and then grow bamboo or something along the fence line !

wombat1a · 15/12/2018 10:42

Not wrong in what you are doing, this is their problem not yours. Perhaps invest in a llama to see any dogs off?

Original poster
HeffalumpsDaughter · 15/12/2018 10:42

Maybe I should just plant a load of leylandii Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
HeffalumpsDaughter · 15/12/2018 10:42

wombat that is the perfect solution. I can’t see any flaws in that plan whatsoever 😁

OP posts:
Oldraver · 15/12/2018 10:46

Just tell him you will raise the fence...he will soon change his mind

Jamiefraserskilt · 15/12/2018 10:47

Assuming that nothing has changed since they lived there (and even if it has) what you do in your garden is nothing to do with them. If they dont want the complaints then don't advertise it as dog friendly. Simple.
Fear not about their threats. Just laugh at their increasingly loony accusations.
And yes, plant what you like, where you like. Sea views you created from downstairs are a blessing, not a right.

Bambamber · 15/12/2018 10:50

What are they going to say to the RSPCA? That horrible person is treating them bunnies so badly, she lets them roam around the garden giving them plenty of space, the horror! Confused

HalloumiGus · 15/12/2018 10:50

Tell them to tell their guests to keep dogs out of sitting room if it's such a problem. If they get nasty you can always hint about planting trees due to privacy issues with all these strangers looking in on your garden.

Mrsdarcyiwish10 · 15/12/2018 10:52

I thought you had to have somekind of permission to run as a holiday let, may be wrong though

DullPortraits · 15/12/2018 11:01

The RSPCA rarely respond to genuine calls about animals who are neglected / abused so there is zero chance they will do anything about your animals. Only thing council might respond to is the chickens if like our estate you are unable to keep them due to some historic small print in the land deeds from when the houses were built. Tell your crazy neighbour that you already complained to the council about the constant noise of dogs barking at the property and that their business is disrupting your peaceful home and life Wink

RChick · 15/12/2018 11:03

Get a cockeral 😏

ForTheLoveOfDoughnuts · 15/12/2018 11:05

Has this been a verbal conversation or do you have anything in writing?

Flowerpot2005 · 15/12/2018 11:10

The only person being unreasonable is the owner of the holiday let.

Your chickens & rabbits were in the garden long before he decided to offer his home as a holiday let, catering for dogs, without understanding what would irritate dogs.

Now he's putting the responsibility for his lack of business acumen at your door. Tell him to go & suck a dog chew.

trancepants · 15/12/2018 11:13

As a dog owner who has often taken her dogs to dog friendly holiday lets I'd be very, very glad that I could see your rabbits and chickens from the livingroom. That way I'd know not to let my dogs unattended in the rear garden. One of my dogs, in particular, appears to have been bitten by a radioactive spider in his puppyhood. He could scale an 8ft fence with little bother and would just hop over a 5ft one. My other dog is a master tunneller. They are a fowl hunting breed so it's best if I know that other animals, especially domestic birds, are around so I can ensure they are safe from my dogs. I'd be pretty upset with the house owner for letting me rent his/her house without giving me a heads up that there are chickens on the other side of the fence. It seems like something that any prospective renters should be aware of, so they can be extra careful with their dogs.

SpoonBlender · 15/12/2018 11:25

I also vote for llamas. Two, they get lonely.